CHAINED MOSAIC NOIR

Sampleby Benjamín Aníbal Reyna - MUNDOS INFINITOS file CHAINED MOSAIC: NOIR Chained Mosaic: Noir is a game about night stalkers, anti-heroes and everything that lives in the shadows. The game’s story may develop in any period of time and location, but your characters are always connected in some way. This is a game about the characters, their lives, relationships and destinies. These characters may or may not be extraordinary. Their abilities, weaknesses and goals weave the fabric of this story. We will play knowing that their lives are a fiction and we will use this fiction as a pretext to talk about reality. “Film Noir” is a sub- of fiction centered on crime stories. They are But their lives are not written yet. They are unpredictable and open enough to be explored by those who play this game. We could characterized by gray protagonists, dark themes full of corruption, sex and even say that they do not have a single life, but rather that you play one of their multiple lives at a time. violence, existentialist philosophies and questionable morality. There are variants of the genre, such as: Neo-Noir (modern Noir), Horror Noir (with Their lives will be real because we are going to treat them as real, or at least believable. Their stories will be about what you want them supernatural and horror elements) and Tech-Noir (closer to and to be about. Although, there is a warning: their stories will start out just how you want them to start, but nothing guarantees that they with a greater focus on technology). will end up how you want them to end. Can I only play this genre? Will you join us to see what happens? No, you can use this game for any type of game focused on the Main characters. Noir is just the recommended genre for this game.

Who should play Chained Mosaic: Noir? What do I need to play? Get the following items: This game is for those who want: • It is very important that you read the Principles of • Role-play one or more characters. this game. • Abandon certainties and embrace surprises. • At least one copy of the rules of this game. • Develop multiple connected stories from different perspectives. • At least one six-sided die, if you have more, the • Intervene in the stories of others, just as others intervene in your better. own. • Each participant must have something to write and • Be interested and excited about the stories of others. / or draw with. • Put yourself in the place of others. • You need people to play with, at least one. But also • Share rights and responsibilities about fiction. you can play on your own. • Improvise. Chain Novel • You need at least an hour to play a recommended A “Chain Novel” is a type of collaborative fiction where a novel is passed from • Play being mature. game session. author to author and each one writes a chapter of it. With the condition that anything defined by previous authors must be respected. This game takes this concept as a starting point. GAME MODES Chained Mosaic: Noir has three Game Modes, the first being the recommended one.

Collaborative Mode There is no permanent Director, but rather the participants take turns with this role.

Vintage mode One of the participants takes the role of Active Director permanently, but does not have control over any Main characters or Protagonists and does not acquire Script Tokens. Mosaic novel A “Mosaic Novel” is a type of novel that has a set of characters, who tell the same Solo mode story from different points of view. Which allows exploring different perspectives It is possible to play this game with only one person, who is simultaneously the Main character and Protagonist. This person (you) and styles. This game takes this concept as a starting point. only have a single Script Token, which if spent, is recovered at the beginning of each new Scene.

• Optionally: in any Game Mode, any participant can be the Author of more than one Main character. Sample2 file How do I control what happens? You can alter, explore and create elements in the fiction by describing and narrating. Everything you narrate and describe is considered as a Proposal. After making a Proposal, it is the others’ turn to REFERENCES & INSPIRATION The following works are recommended for inspiration or guidance to play Chained Mosaic: Noir. respond. Some may say “I like it” or “of course”, some may say “better think something else.” Either way, you can’t resolve everything out as you please. Sometimes you will need to roll the dice. Everything you Classic Vigilantes Super-heroes say always needs to make sense within context and tone. • The Maltese Falcon (John Houston, 1941). • Watchmen (Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, 1986-1987). • Kiss Me Deadly (Robert Aldrich, 1955). • The Punisher (Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr., Ross Andru, When you are not the Active Director • L.A. Noire (Rockstar Games, 2011). 1987-1995). • You act and play a particular character. Your character acts within their capabilities, as long • Batman (Tim Burton, 1989). as nothing interrupts their free will. You make decisions about your feelings, except when it is Neo-Noir • Darkman (Sam Raimi, 1990). something involuntary (such as feeling pain when you are hurt or fear when you are threatened). • Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, 1976). • Spawn (Todd McFarlane, 1992). • You cannot control or make changes to someone else’s character unless this person allows you. • Blue Velvet (David Lynch, 1986). • Batman: The Animated Series (Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm, Sometimes you can take control of another character or make a Proposal, but always respecting • Silence of the lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991). 1992-1995). the dice rolls and with the permission of the others. • Cape Fear (Martin Scorsese, 1991). • Hellboy (Mike Mignola, 1993). • (Naoki Urasawa, 1994-2001). • Nevermen (Phil Amara, Guy Davis, 1993). When you are the Active Director • Seven (David Fincher, 1995). • The Shadow (Russel Mulcahy, 1994). • You have another type of control over the Scenes: you choose and describe the moment, the • Memento (Christopher Nolan, 2000). • The Phantom (Simon Wincer, 1996). setting and the events. You will have control over all characters, except the Main characters. • Saw (James Wan, 2004). • Daredevil (Mark Steven Johnson, 2003). • Sometimes you will act for a Main character when the dice instruct you to do so, such as when they • Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, 2004). • The Dark Knight trilogy (Christopher Nolan, 2005-2012). act on reflex, act confused or are completely compelled to do so (such as coughing when inhaling • Estearn promises (David Cronenberg, 2007). • The Spirit (Frank Miller, 2008). smoke or screaming in horror). • No Country for Old Men (Hermanos Coen, 2007). • Spider-man Noir (David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky, Carmine Di • Jokers game (Koji Yanagi, 2008-2016). Giandomenico, 2009). • Shutter Island (Martin Scorsese, 2010). • Kamen Rider W (Toei Company, 2009). • Heavy Rain (Quantic Dream, 2010). • Cop Craft: Dragnet Mirage Reloaded (Shoji Gatoh, Range Characters • Yuureitou (Nogizaka Tarou, 2010). Murata 2009-2021) Created characters can be and can have anything their respective Authors wants, as long as it makes • Drive (Nicolas Winding Refn, 2011). • Justice League Dark (Warner Bros. , 2017). sense within context and premise. There is no “balance” or anything like that: you create the characters • Odd Taxi (OLM, 2021). you want to play and play them as you want to play them. When you create a character, think about The Contract you have made to choose the type of fiction. There are several types of characters: Horror Noir Neo-Noir / Tech-Noir • Ghost Rider (Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas, Mike Ploog, 1967). • Main Characters are the characters that will most often be played as Protagonists in most Scenes. • (Riddley Scott, 1982). • The Norliss Tapes (Dan Curtis, 1979) Each participant has at least one Main Character under their control and their control cannot • (, 1984). • The X-Files (Chris Carter, 1993-2002). be changed without the permission of that Author. Main characters can be villains, but never • Naked Lunch (David Cronenberg, 1991). • Gargoyles (Walt Disney Television Animation, 1994-1997). Antagonists. • Case Closed (Gōshō Aoyama, 1994-2021). • Lord of Illusions (Clive Barker, 1995). • Side Characters rarely are Protagonists of Scenes and their role is to help develop the Main • Ghost in the Shell (, 1995). • Blade (Stephen Norrington, 1998). Characters. There can be any number of Side Characters and anyone can play them. • Gattaca (Andrew Niccol, 1997). • Nocturne (Terminal Reality, 1999). • Extras are unimportant characters that do not need development and work minimal roles. • Dark City (Alex Proyas, 1998). • Shadowman (Acclaim Entertainment, 1999). • Antagonists are relevant characters (they can be Side characters or Extras) that exist to oppose the • Deus Ex series(Eidos / Square Enix, 2000-2016). • Angel (Joss Whedon, 1999). objectives of the Main Character. They need development to the same level as the Main Characters, • Minority Report (Steven Spielberg, 2002). • Clive Barker’s Undying (EA Los Angeles, 2001). but can only be played by the Active Director. • Farenheit: Indigo Prophecy (Quantic Dream, 2005). • Death Note (Tsugumi Ohba, 2003-2006). • Speed Grapher (Gonzo, 2005). • Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of The Earth (Headfirst • Psycho-Pass (Production IG, 2012-2013). Productions, 2005). Director’s role • Beyond: Two Souls (Quantic Dream, 2013). • Constantine (Francis Lawrence, 2005). • Blade Runner 2049 (Denis Villeneuve, 2017). The Director is a participant’s role that grants certain duties, responsibilities and capacities, the most • Murdered: Soul Suspect (Airtight Games, 2014). • Anon (Andrew Niccol, 2018). important being the Staging. In the Collaborative Mode of the game there is no permanent Director, • El Otro Lado de Silverstring (Mundos Infinitos, 2017). • Detroit: Become Human (Quantic Dream, 2018). but the role of “Active Director” changes from participant to participant. The first Active Director can • Call of Cthulhu (Cyanide, 2018). be defined in any way, even randomly, depending on the group’s decision. / Neo-Noir / Hardboiled Noir • Black Mask (varios autores, 1920). The Active Director will change once the Scene is resolved, the group can use one of the following • Dick Tracy (Warren Beaty, 1990). methods: • Sin City (Frank Miller, 1991-2000). • The next Active Director is the participant seated to the left of the last person who was Active • Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994). Director. • Noir (Ryōe Tsukimura, 2001). • The last Active Director chooses who the new Active Director is, but no one can become an Active • Max Payne (Remedy Entertainment, 2001). Director again until everyone has been an Active Director in this round. • John Wick series (Chad Stahelski, 2014-2019). Sample3 file THE CONTRACT GAME PRINCIPLES When you play this game, you play it without knowing what is going to happen and what results will come. You play with the expectation Collaborative Fiction & Consensus Role-playing of surprise. But there are some details that you must define before To play Chained Mosaic: Noir you need to fill The Contract. This When you role-play how the characters act, you do it for two reasons: starting. Although each person has their particular Style, there are some Contract will serve to outline in general aspects what type of • To create interesting and entertaining moments. characteristics that can be agreed between all the participants of the experience you will play. Even so, it is impossible for The Contract to • Because they act following the coherence of the situation. group to maintain cohesion. define every detail and it is possible that some situations arise where If you don’t meet either of those two guidelines, maybe you should they will have to adjust the agreements as mature people. In addition reconsider your decisions. When you describe, you will describe Setting to that, you must agree on other things, the place and date to meet what your character is trying to do based on what is happening By default, the story will take place in a with different timelines to play. To achieve this, you must have honesty and sincerity, be open around they and what the character is like. You can do it like an and dimensions. Choose from the following options, combine or create with what you think, as well as be expected to pay attention to others. actress or as a storyteller. To see the consequences of the character’s your own, but respect what you established. With the group, define the Everyone has their freedoms and permissions, but they should not be actions, whether they fail or succeed, you need to roll the dice. You time and location where the story will take place (at least, at the beginning abused. Everything you say are always considered Proposals (even if have many tools to think about how to role-play a character: read of the story). It can be real, fictitious, pseudo-fictitious or speculative. it is not specified). You always make Proposals and let the rest accept, again their Archetype, Motivations, Weaknesses, etc. When playing S Classic: There is only what exists in the reality and context of reject or make another Proposal. Sometimes you will need to debate, a character you have to think not only about what you know and the chosen period. Still, there may be situations that may seem like mature people do. You need to pay attention to what the rest of think (as a participant), but also about what that character knows “inexplicable”. the group says, why they say it, and what they feel. Because they are and what they perceive from the world. S Tech-Noir: there are amazing things in this world, but everything can the characters, but also, they are not. Sometimes you will find that be explained through science. not everyone in the group is looking for the same experience and the Character notebook S Horror Noir: there is not only science, but also magic and the game will have to stop. Someone might wish to leave. The rules serve Instead of just using a character’s sheet, for this game you need to supernatural, which has its own rules. to maintain a coherence, so they cannot be changed on a whim. If the take a lot of notes about your character and the characters of others. rules are to be ignored or changed, let it be by the complete decision It is preferable that you bring a notepad, a pad of sheets, a booklet, a Style of the group, taking into account the impact they may have. diary or at least a handful of sheets. You will constantly take notes of The Noir is an inherently dark, harsh, pessimistic, brooding, alienating, what you consider relevant. In addition, you must consider that your and cynical genre. You can choose more than one option, as long as they Distance notes are public: write whatever you want, considering that at any do not challenge each other. Whatever happens inside the game is fiction, it is not real, but even time someone else will be able to read it. S Realist: everything happens in a way anchored to reality, limited by so, all fiction can emotionally affect those who participate in it, be the laws of nature. it actively or passively. The group is expected to take the fiction Dynamic construction S Pulp: characters and situations are intense, tough, violent and seriously enough to make it feel real, but not serious enough to hurt Everything you write is a guide, but by the nature of this game, erotic, in a hyperbolized way. S the people you play with. you may have forgotten something of importance or want to add Weird: characters and situations are bizarre, absurd, and sinisterly something that makes sense with the context. If so, there is no comic. S Preparatives problem, add it, but always paying attention to the context of the Crude: situations can become explicitly violent, bloody and sexual. To play this game, you need to know the rules. If you don’t know them, Scene. you will have to depend on others. Knowing the rules allows you to act The Theme with an advantage and understand your group’s actions, in addition Surprise The Theme is the central element that will be explored in the fiction. to lightening the burden on those who play with you. You should You can have an idea of ​​what is going to happen, but you will never But beware: if you choose multiple Themes, you may lose focus. When also know and learn the characters, at least the Main Characters. It be sure. You don’t know how this story will end. As an Active Director defining a Theme, everyone is expected to develop it in each established is convenient that you take notes and read them whenever you have you can set Scenes with certain elements, but that does not tell Scene. When developing a Theme, each participant is expected to show the opportunity. You can never prepare everything too far in advance, you how they will turn out, since the other participants can always a different opinion. Some groups may find some of the Themes too as the story is most likely going to not even remotely close to how you intervene in the story with unforeseen decisions, using their Script controversial and may want to avoid a dispute or confrontation. Choose imagined it to be. Tokens or simply with a random result of their dice rolls. Things Themes with that in mind. These are some sample Themes: will change, you won’t know exactly when or how. You can feel • Crime and justice, punishment and revenge. Multiple stories happy, sad, scared, angry, or something else. If you don’t like these • The cruelties and consequences of war. This is not a game with a single shared story, built among the entire emotions, you can say so and stop playing for a while or stop playing • The blurred line between human and machine. group. Rather, it is a game with multiple interconnected stories, with altogether. You have no obligation to continue playing like this. • Discrimination and violence. multiple perspectives. This means that although the characters are Others are having an experience with you. Everything you do will • The illusion of free will. shared and there is a certain chronological sequence in the events, affect them. The best thing you can do is play in a way that enhances • Faith, religion, death and mourning. the way in which situations are presented can be very different. To the experience that the whole group enjoys (and “enjoying” does not • Love, sexuality and violence. give an analogy, think of it as an anthology. mean “being happy all the time”). • The capitalist and consumerist culture.

Sample4 file General lines Tags You must write at least one thing in each Tags are various Traits that you may consider option. It is recommended to complete each MAIN CHARACTER important for the character. If you answer these Trait in order, but you can always go back questions, you may find some interesting Tags: and change something you wrote earlier. • Do you have a nickname or alias? Later, you can define, develop, alter, add or • How old are you? remove details; Everything you write is subject • Do you believe in something out of this to change (It’s the spirit of this game!). You world? should always reveal your choices to the other • What is your gender? participants, but that does not mean that it is • What is your sexual orientation? known to other characters. • What is your reputation in society? • Do you belong to a certain culture? General archetype • Do you have a catchphrase? This defines a general outline of the character’s concept. You can use stereotypes, common Bonds archetypes or a certain specific character Characters can share different Bonds (even to exemplify. You can go for something like: more than one), known or not. All Main Private Detective, Femme Fatale, Nocturnal Characters have a list of Bonds, where the Vigilante, Serial Killer, Secret Agent, etc. names of all other Main Characters and Side Characters are noted. Establish Bonds based Powers, Skills & Resources on what your character thinks about that You can choose everything you want. Focus character. For example: on general and broad concepts: instead of • A mutual Bond (“strangers”, “lovers”, choosing “good aim,” it is preferable to write “friends”, “partners”, “colleagues”, “family”, “special forces” or “professional hitman.” Then, “respect”, “rivals”, etc.), although you can assign a Rank: Formidable, Superhuman or always clarify details or exceptions. Unlimited. This serves to establish Conflicts • A one-way Bond (“fear”, “debt”, “concern”, with an appropriate challenge. “service”, “admiration”, “suspicion”, “contempt”, “employment”, etc.). Background Some Bonds imply that you must reach a Tell a short story that explains how you consensus with the Author of that other became or came to be what you are. This can character. be interpreted as an Origin Story or you can simply place a significant event. You can create Side characters and Antagonists to support your Main Conflicts character’s Traits. Make a list of all the problems, weaknesses, enemies, conditions and dangers that particularly affect your Main Character. For Intrigues example: drinking problem or vendetta with Intrigues are speculations that each the mafia. participant has about fiction. They are questions that you have and you will try to find the answers by playing. For example: Objectives • Who is stronger between [character] and Make a list of all the goals, motivations or [character]? impulses that your Main Character follows, • What could happen if [character] finds out even if they are virtually impossible. the truth about [character]? • What are the limits of [character] ‘s powers? Identity • What will [character] do if [character] is in Briefly develop your daily life: your occupation, danger? your name, your family (if there is any). In the • What will happen when [character] and case of a vigilante, this would be your alter- [character] meet for the first time? ego. Sample5 file CLIMAX & RESOLUTION REVELATION & RESOLUTION When an event or decisive action may cause an on-Scene Conflict to be resolved, In addition to Climax Resolution, when the Scene is placed at a point STAGING the Protagonist’s Author rolls a single die. Depending on the result, the where a character is about to discover something important about A Scene is a segment of the story that preserves the same Active Director must describe a certain outcome (always keeping in mind the the world or is on their way to solving a mystery, the Protagonist characters, time and place. A general rule of thumb is that after Protagonist’s actions as significant). If the character does not act, then a die is character’s Author must roll a single die. Depending on the outcome, the dice are rolled and the Conflict is resolved, the Scene ends. not rolled, the Active Director defines the Resolution entirely at their discretion. the Active Director describes the discovery. It can be presented with a Scenes are expected to be short, about 5-10 minutes each. In Some Resolutions are immediate and others have effects that will be discovered fact, with a clue or with a flashback. addition, to set Scenes, you should take into account which were much later, when the Active Director resumes the role. the Intrigues written by the participants. Trail of Clues Disaster The Protagonist finds or discovers something that leads If you are the Active Director, you must set the Scene. Everyone The Risks take their toll, but beyond expectations. It’s worse than they in the direction of a place or character. can make Proposals, but you have the last word. You must define everyone thought. the following in any order: Twist and fall Shocking revelation Time & Location Something or someone, that the Protagonist considered Something or someone is not what it was believed, it is something positive, is actually an enemy, threat or deception. Just define when it happens and where it happens. Describe completely different. There is a Revelation (roll a die) and end the the perceptible surroundings. You can also set a date and place Scene. that are not entirely clear to certain characters, as they simply Anagnorisis “woke up there” or “were forcibly brought in”. You can also start The Protagonist discovers something about themselves. It a Scene in media res. Hiatus / Cliffhanger must be something so significant that at least one of their The Risk is not resolved but reaches a point where it could not get Traits must change. worse or better, until the situation changes to allow it again. A new Casting Conflict may also arise that replaces the previous one. Define which characters are in the Scene, you can choose Connection between the pool of Main Characters, Side Characters, Extras The Active Director chooses two facts or two characters and Antagonists of the group. The Main Characters must be Sacrifice (or one of each). Explain an unknown link between them, role-played by their Authors. Antagonists must be played by The Active Director explains how what is at stake can be saved but changing or establishing a new Bond. the Active Director. For Side Characters and Extras, you must something else must be sacrificed. Immediately, the Protagonist choose other participants who must role-play them. Choose character must reject or accept and pay the price. Resurgence which of the Main Characters will be the one that will have the Something or someone that was considered permanently spotlight, the focus of attention, this is the Protagonist. Alteration lost or missing makes a new appearance in an unexpected The Risk does not take what was at stake, but makes someone or way. Risks and Conflicts something change in some way or form, but always in a significant Answer: What is the problem? What is at stake? What can be way. It’s bad as it is good. Grays lost? All Conflicts are expected to be linked to past Scenes. Something or someone, that the Protagonist considered The characters may be unaware of the Risk, but there must Triumph antagonistic or dangerous, actually has another aspect be one and be within the Rank of the Protagonist character’s The Conflict is resolved in an outstanding way, the stakes are saved that makes it redeemable, justifiable, heroic or simply they Powers, Skills and Resources. The Risks have to hinder the and the situation improves considerably. are right. Protagonist’s Objectives or else there is no reason to feel tension. Describe the Scene until a point is reached where there End of Scene is a decisive action that can resolve the Conflict. Then, request After theResolution (Climax or Revelation), the Scene ends. A lapse occurs and all characters must update their Bonds and personal Traits, if the Conflict has a Resolution with a roll of the dice. caused them to change in any way. The next Active Director defines a fictional period of time before setting their Scene (from seconds to years).

The First Scene Reactions Character Retirement When the group is about to begin playing, the first Active If the Protagonist is introduced into a Conflict in which If a Main Character dies (or is “permanently” retired for the rest of the story), they must be Director must be chosen. Your group can choose how: they must maintain a passive position or, failing that, replaced by a new Main Character. The Author of that character chooses an option: • Choose the participant with the most experience in the they must act by reflex without pondering their actions, • Create another new Main Character. game. their Author must roll a die, but does not describe their • Transform a Side Character (or maybe an Extra) into a Main Character and play that • Pick someone at random. actions, that is at the discretion of the Active Director. character. • Choose a volunteer, if there is only one.

Sample6 file SCRIPT TOKENS END OF SESSION Each participant begins the game with a number of Script Tokens equal to the number of participants in the game. Each game session is considered a “Chapter” within a story, some stories can have only one Chapter When you are not the Active Director, Script Tokens can be used and spent to activate special effects in fiction: while others have more. At the end of a Session, you can vote one of the following: • CANCELLATION: the story has come to an end or not, but you don’t want to follow it anymore. • REWIND: spend a Script Token, after describing the Resolution of a dice roll, to stop the Scene, ignore what • SEQUEL: the story will continue in the next Chapter. just happened, and re-roll the die. Then move on to the new Resolution. You can think of this as another parallel • SPIN-OFF: you finish this story, but start another using some elements or characters from the previous timeline from another universe (you can explore this possibility in a What If at End of Session). If the same result story. comes again, keep rolling until a different one comes up. • PREQUEL: you finish this story, but you play another story that happened before these events. This can be used to present origin stories or show the Backgrounds of certain characters. • EMERGENCY DIRECTOR: spend a Script Token, after rolling the dice, but before describing the Resolution, • REMAKE: you finish this story, but play another as a re-imagining of the previous one. This can be used to choose another participant who is not a Protagonist or an Active Director. Let the chosen person describe to better exploit certain ideas. the Resolution (that participant does not become the Active Director, only describes in the place of the Active • WHAT IF: you finish this story and play another story in which you explore an alteration of the main Director). story. “What would have happened if...?”

• FORCED CASTING: spend a Script Token during an Audition to participate in the Scene with any available character of your choice (you choose from your Main Character, any Side Character or an Extra), but the Protagonist remains the same.

• SALVATION: spend a Script Token and choose a Risk. Then, describe how a part of what was under Risk is saved A LITTLE GLOSSARY or at least provide plot armor (it can be a character, a group or a place, but always a part). For example, you can These are some particular terminologies: make a character appear, cause an accident, present a surprise that was prepared, etc. You must ask permission • ALTER-EGO: the other personality or another part of a character’s double life. to use Main characters. You can justify the fact under an expository explanation or by describing a flashback, to • ANAGNORISIS: is a critical discovery on the part of a character, usually involving themselves personally. avoid a deus ex machina. If the Risk is impossible to evade, you can at least mitigate its effects to a minimum. • CLIFFHANGER: It is an end without Resolution, which is suspended, where an imminent Conflict is When finished, the Scene ends. presented. • DEUS EX MACHINA: happens when something without much sense in the logic of the story, appears • FLASH REVELATION: spend a Script Token and choose one of the mysteries that have been brought into play abruptly to resolve a Conflict. in a previous Scene (you cannot choose a mystery that has just emerged). The Active Director must make an • EPIPHANY: it is the Revelation of a divine or supernatural character about a great truth. immediate Revelation about it. This can present as an insight, an revealing flashback, a spontaneous epiphany • FLASHBACK: also called “analepsis”, it is a retrospective Scene where something is told that or a serendipity. chronologically happened before. • IN MEDIA RES: when a narrative begins in what would be the half of the story. • SET STAGING: spend a Script Token at the start of or during a Scene. You choose Time, Location, Cast, Risks • RED HERRING: it is a false clue that distracts the viewer from the true solution. and Conflicts (or you can alter those already set, such as making a character appear abruptly, as they was simply • SERENDIPITY: it is about a moment in which a character finds something by chance. at the right place, right time or reveal that you had an item prepared for this occasion). The Active Director must respect the choice, but can add and define details. You can even propose a flashback. In that case, everything that happens in the flashback will appropriately affect the present and the . If you make a Main character appear, it must be played by their Author. If the chosen character is a Side Character or an Extra is played by the Active Director. CREDITS Chained Mosaic: Noir (v.1.5) is a role-playing game made by Benjamín Aníbal Reyna - October 2020 - You can have up to a maximum of Script Tokens equal to the number of participants in play. You start each session Thanks: Martín Bravo, David Silva, José Ferrolo. with as many Script Tokens as possible (depending on who is playing that session). When it is your turn to be the Active Director or Active Director, restore one of your spent Script Tokens. References and Inspiration: • Fate (Frad Hicks, Rob Donoghue, 2003) • Fiasco (Jason Morningstar, 2009) To manage the Script Tokens, you can use coins, poker chips, dice, cards or anything that helps you keep count • Neo-Noir (Mundos Infinitos, 2016) easily. • Unidos por el Hilo Rojo del Destino (Mundos Infinitos, 2017) • Ciudad Extraña (Sile Sileno)

Combos Fonts You can spend Script Tokens to apply effects simultaneously, such as using Flash Revelation + Emergency • Source sans Variable (Paul D. Hunt) Director to interrupt a Scene and explain a mystery with your own theories. • Oswald (Vernon Adams, Kalapi Gajjar, Cyreal) • Zilla Slab (Typothequel) Sample7 file CHAINED MOSAIC NOIR Sample file CHAINED MOSAIC NOIR You can make copies of these sheets if you require Script Cards or a marker for the active Director.

Sample file Buenos Aires BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires, officially known as the “Autonomous City of Buenos Aires” or simply “City of Buenos Aires” is the capital and most populated city of the Argentine Republic, in the province of Buenos Aires.

This metropolis is autonomous, it has its own executive, NEO-NOIR legislative and judicial powers (unlike the rest of the province). It is located in the central-eastern region of the country, on the southern bank of the Río de , in the Pampean region.

It limits to the east with the Río de la Plata. It is divided into 15 communes that group 48 neighborhoods. The current estimated population of the city is over 3 million.

Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city and an important tourist destination. Its complex infrastructure makes it one of the most important metropolises in America and it is an alpha category global city. It has great influences in commerce, finance, fashion, art, gastronomy, education and entertainment.

Its architecture is eclectic, uniting Spanish colonial, , , neo-Gothic, Italian, French Bourbon, and French academic styles. It is known as “The of America”.

The climate of the city of Buenos Aires is mild Pampean. In summer it rains quite frequently, where there can be intense storms. The city tends to get cloudy in winter, although it rains weakly in winter, the rains are continuous. Winters are cold, but it almost never snows. There are days when winter turns mild. A Chained Mosaic: Noir module Sometimes the humidity can become suffocating. There is usually to play in the greatSample city of Buenos Aires. a variable mist throughout file the year. Optional Rule: Hard choices Potential plot hooks and conflicts In each Scene, the Protagonist character must make a Hard The Active Director will establish a premise, plot hook or event that will trigger the events of the story. It Choice; The Active Director can choose a difficult decision type could be a Scene with all the Main characters or a special Scene for each Main character separately. or roll a dice to choose it at random. Race against time Condemnation or Mercy The Scene opens with an immediate Conflict, which will worsen or cause catastrophe if not resolved The Protagonist finds someone at their mercy. soon. For example: You can kill or punish the victim, or leave them alone. • A character is trapped in a forest fire in the Ecological Reserve. 1. • A character is driving in a car chase down an avenue. Pain or Failure The Protagonist character is put to the test. The Irregular investigation Protagonist character can accept the test or reject, Something strange happened, something difficult to explain, probably a crime or a bad omen. knowing that this means failing. • A character investigates Gate 12 of El Monumental. 2 • A character finds a corpse in the Japanese Garden. • A large number of pigeons perch on the Florialis Generica. Silence or Violence • A door of interdimensional energy opens on The Obelisk. The Protagonist has to be patient, waste time, • A ritual ceremony is held at La Casa de Los Leones. ignore a problem or avoid conflicts so as not to risk 3 a life. Life in danger Someone, perhaps the Protagonist, is in danger. If someone doesn’t act, they could die. In addition, there Left or Right may be several more lives in danger.. The Protagonist must choose between two • Someone was poisoned at La . characters (or groups of characters). One will be • A character is caught in a shootout in Constitución. 4 safe, while the other will not (euthanasia, homicide, • A character is kidnapped in Constitución. suicide, abandon to their fate, etc.). Incognito mission Lawful or Lawless The character must remain stealthy, low-key or in disguise. If the character is seen or discovered, the The Protagonist character can follow the rules (call situation will become desperate. the police, call for reinforcements) or break the law • A character is infiltrating La Casa Rosada. 5 and become a criminal. • A character is carrying out a sabotage in the Subway. • A character is carrying out a heist at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Life or Beyond • A character tries to kill someone at El Teatro Colón. The Protagonist must choose between returning to a normal life or accept the fate that has been set. Social obligation 6 The Scene is from day to day for anyone else, but for you it is something that makes you nervous. You are not in physical danger, but rather emotionally distressed. For example: • A character tries to pass a police test in The Vucetich. • A character attends a funeral at the Recoleta Cemetery. • A character needs to fix a deal at Café Tortoni. Then the Active Director sets a challenge based on the • A character is making a big bet at The Hippodrome. Protagonist character traits. • A character visits an acquaintance in a coma at The Argerich Hospital. • A character is celebrating Chinese New Year in Chinatown.

Sample2 file Barrio Chino Café Tortoni - Chinatown - - Tortoni Coffeehouse - It is known as “Chinatown” to a small area of ​​the Founded in 1858, this bar / cafeteria Belgrano neighborhood with an axis in three blocks. belongs to the select group of notable Different Asian communities live there, with a bars, which brings together the most predominance of Taiwanese, continental Chinese, representative bars and cafes of Koreans, Japanese (Argentine Nikkeis), Thais, etc. Buenos Aires.

The most prominent literary group in Buenos Aires, led by the painter Benito Quinquela Martín, met in this café.

Casa de Los Leones - The House of Lions - A historic French-style mansion with a large garden.

The Tragic Wedding The eccentric billionaire Eustoquio Díaz Vélez wanted to protect his fortune and in 1880, instead of paying for watchdogs, he decided to purchase a pair of lions. During the night, he would let them out into the garden and during the day he would lock them under the house. In 1911, his daughter married Exotic stands and during the wedding, one of the The street stalls of Chinatown show and exhibit lions opened the poorly closed door different aspects of Asian culture such as:calligraphy, of his cage. The groom was gutted Buddhism, astrology, Feng Shui, languages, music and and gored during the wedding by traditional cuisine. one of the escaped lions. Sample3 file Casa Rosada - The Pink House - The Government Palace of the Argentine Painted with blood Republic, better known as “Casa Rosada”, It is rumored that President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento decided to was inaugurated in 1898. The Casa embellish his house: the painters made a mixture of lime and ox blood that Rosada is the seat of the Executive guaranteed impermeability and durability. When the blood dried it turned Power (President) of the Argentine pink. Republic. Inside it is the office of the Presidency of the Nation. This building is located in front of the . It has an eclectic architecture, based on different European styles. It also houses the Government House Museum, with objects related to the country’s presidents. Ghost maiden The spirit of a woman runs through the rooms, but without disturbing anyone. Not even when observed closely. Many passersby and tourists have managed to capture the appearances on video through the windows. Her identity is still unknown.

Tunnel 1912 Beneath the Casa Rosada, you will find a forgotten tunnel that is said to run through much of the city and can be moved without barriers or surface traffic. Built in 1912. It was intended to carry cargo, but was sometimes used (for a short period) to carry passengers. Cases of respiratory problems began to occur and for several days they had to help people asphyxiated by gases. It is said that once a load of grain fell and now there is an army of rats living in it.

Sample4 file Cementerio de La Recoleta - - On the outside, a message reads: Requiescant in pace (Latin for “Rest in peace”). Inside, a message reads: Expectamus Dominum (Latin for “We wait for the Lord”).

It is a famous cemetery, located in the distinguished Recoleta neighborhood and contains the graves of many prominent personalities of the country. It was inaugurated in 1822, thus becoming the first public cemetery in the city.

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, famous for its imposing and vaults adorned with marble and sculptures. Its architectural value is a sample of the times when was an emerging economic power at the end of the 19th century, and the wealthiest families of the city began to move to the Recoleta area and to build splendid pantheons in the cemetery. Mausoleums and vaults are the work of important architects and sculptors (Lola Mora, José Fioravanti, Alberto Lagos, Juan Antonio Buschiazzo, Próspero Catelin, etc.). The cemetery itself has been considered a National Historical Museum since 1946.

Catalepsy panic In 1902, Rufina Cambaceres was accidentally buried alive in her . A man named Alfredo Gath feared the same fate, so he ordered the construction of an “anti-catalepsy” hydraulic mechanism that, when activated from the inside, would open the gate, sound an alarm and unlock the gates. He tried it himself, but it only worked on the twelfth try. He died in 1936.

The Lady in white A man finds and rescues a crying girl near the cemetery. After kissing her, he disappeared into the mist. It is rumored to be Luz María García Velloso, daughter of a famous 19th century playwright, who died at the age of 15. She panicked when she found her ancient grave.

Sabu, the dog The grave of Liliana Crociati, who died in an avalanche in Austria, has an unusual Neo-Gothic design. He has a sculpture of his dog, Sabu, which brings good luck when touched his nose. Sample5 file Constitución Escuela de Policía - Juan Vucetich - Constitution - - Juan Vucetich - School of Police - Inaugurated in 1887, the Plaza Constitución station, Created in 1941, named in honor of the Argentine or simply “Constitución”, is one of the seven central anthropologist and police officer Juan Vucetich, who railway stations in Buenos Aires, which serves as the perfected the fingerprint system (the system that allows head of the General Roca Railway. With 156 million people to be identified through their fingerprints). It is passengers a year and 16 platforms, it is the largest and known mainly as “La Vucetich”. Train cadets from all over busiest station in Argentina, and one of the largest in the country. the world.

The Order of Bethlam The religious order of the Bethlemite priests built a hospital on the site, originally called La Convalecencia which later adopted the name of Mercado Constitución, where the station would finally be built.The Order of the Bethlemite Brothers, whose official name is theOrder of the Brothers of Bethlehem (or Bethlem), is a male Catholic religious order, clerical, of apostolic life and of pontifical right, founded in 1656 in Guatemala by the Spanish missionary Pedro de San José de Betancur, to serve the poor. It has the particularity of being the first religious order founded in American lands and the last religious order of the Catholic Church.

Sample6 file Florialis Genérica It is a metal sculpture located in the Plaza de Las Naciones Unidas (United Nations Square), a gift from the Argentine architect Eduardo Catalano. The structure was inaugurated in 2002 with materials provided by the Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina aeronautical company. It represents a large flower made of stainless steel, with an aluminum skeleton and reinforced concrete, which faces the sky, extending its six petals towards it. It weighs 18 tons and is 23 meters high (a little over 25 yards). It opens every morning at 8 a.m. and closes at dusk, at a time that changes according to the season of the year.

Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo - Argentine Racecourse of Palermo - Located in the Palermo neighborhood. It has a sand track 2,400 meters long by 28 meters (just over 30 and a half yards) wide and a grass track 2,200 meters (just over 2,400 yards) by 20 meters (almost 22 yards) wide, it also has a drainage system that allows running under any weather condition. Sample7 file Monumental The Antonio Vespucio Liberti Stadium, also known as the Monumental Stadium or Monumental de Núñez, is a stadium located in the Núñez neighborhood. It is owned by Club Atlético River Plate (“Athletic Club River Plate”, one of the most famous Argentine soccer teams) and was inaugurated in 1938. It is the stadium dedicated to the practice of soccer with the largest capacity in Argentina, and one of the largest in America. It has a running track and a micro-stadium. It is traditionally the place where the national team plays most of its home games. The current capacity of the stadium is 70,074 spectators, after the renovations carried out in 2019.

The Tragedy of Gate 12 On June 23, 1968, a fatal event occurred during the start of a soccer match between Boca Jr. and River Plate (the two most famous soccer teams in Argentina and old rivals). 113 people were injured and 71 young people were crushed and suffocated in an avalanche of people. This is the greatest catastrophe in the history of Argentine sports. All the dead were Boca Juniors sympathizers. Despite strong suspicions about the actions of the Federal Police and the Club Atlético River Plate, the causes and responsibilities for the massacre were never properly established. The fact is taboo and it was not recognized neither by Boca nor by River. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes In 2018, on the 50th anniversary of the deaths, - National museum of fine arts - the Boca Juniors Club apologized for not having It is one of the most important public art institutions in remembered the victims, committing to do so in Argentina. It houses an extremely diverse heritage, which the future. The ghosts of the dead are said to still includes more than 12,000 pieces, including paintings, be trapped there, and can still be heard and seen sculptures, drawings, engravings, textiles and objects. Its through security cameras. collection is made up of pre-Columbian, colonial, Argentine and international art, in a time range that goes from the 3rd century BC. at the moment. Its importance also lies in the number of visitors, of all ages, from different social strata, from the country and from abroad.

Sample8 file 37 Reserva ecológica Costanera Sur - Obelisk of Buenos Aires - - Costanera Sur ecological reserve - It is a historical monument considered an icon of Buenos Aires, Built during the 70s, it is one of the largest urban reserves in Latin America. It has 350 hectares, it houses built in 1936 on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the first more than 2000 species of native flora and fauna. It is suitable for hiking and bird watching. founding of the city. It is located in the Plaza de la República in the San Nicolás neighborhood. It was designed by the architect Alberto Prebisch. Its height is 67.5 meters (almost 74 yards). The base measures 6.80 meters on a side (almost seven and a half El Reservito (“The Reservling”) yards), has a single entrance door (on the west side) and in its There are rumors of a half-dog, half-rat upper part there are four windows, with metal shutters, which creature lurking in this place. It’s very can only be accessed by a marine ladder of 206 steps with 7 territorial, has attacked several hikers, and landings every 8 meters and one at 6 meters. Culminates in a likes human flesh. lightning rod.

The Iron Box There is a built-in iron box said to contain a photo of the Fires construction engineer and a letter for those who will demolish It has suffered several fires, almost always caused by the Obelisk in some future. human negligence. Sample9 file Subte de Buenos Aires Teatro Colón - Buenos Aires Subway Train - - Colón Opera house - It is the metro network of the City of Buenos Aires, made up of six lines A, B, C, D, E and H with a total The Teatro Colón is an opera house. Due to its size, acoustics and length of 62.8 km (almost 69 yards) and 90 stations in operation. Also part of the system is a tram with trajectory, it has come to be considered the best lyrical theater two branches, the . in the world.

Dinosaur fossils Pasco Sur It is a sealed “ghost” line that was closed at the same time In 1930, remains of mammoth as Alberti’s north platform, the station after Pasco. It was and mastodon were found inaugurated in 1913 and closed in 1951. There are several in the excavations of line theories about the closure of this station. The official version B. Remains of glyptodonts given by Metrovías (the current company that owns the both in the excavation of the network) is too concise: “for operational reasons”. It is currently extension of line D, and in sealed by brick walls so that its interior is not visible, but the last extension of line B. there are some people who have managed to photograph its The remains found in line interior through some slots. A myth says that it was a closure D They are exhibited at the as the result of a girl’s suicide. Some say she take her life due Juramento station of the to the death of her boyfriend, others that it was due to an The Cigarette pack same. The three glyptodonts arranged marriage. It is said that in that place you can see In 2010, the caretakers of the Teatro Colón found a mysterious found on line B are exhibited the ghost. Also, there is a strange and gigantic white cross cigarette pack containing a bag of ashes on the stairs of the at Tronador station. painted in the tunnel. coliseum. Inside, there was a note that said: “Here we leave your ashes, we keep your memories”. Sample10 file